rifampicin

R1I1F4A1M3P3I1C3I1N1
/ɹɪˈfæm.pɪs.ɪn/

noun

A reddish-brown semisynthetic antibiotic C₄₃H₅₈N₄O₁₂ obtained from the bacterium Amycolaptosis mediterranei, used chiefly to treat tuberculosis, leprosy, and asymptomatic carriers of meningococci.

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Meanings

nounrifampicin (countable and uncountable, plural rifampicins)

plural rifampicins · alternative US rifampin

  1. countableuncountablemedicineA reddish-brown semisynthetic antibiotic C₄₃H₅₈N₄O₁₂ obtained from the bacterium Amycolaptosis mediterranei, used chiefly to treat tuberculosis, leprosy, and asymptomatic carriers of meningococci.

Origin

Blend of rifam(y)cin + pi(perazinyl).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

rifampicin. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rifampicin

MLA

“rifampicin.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rifampicin. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rifampicin,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rifampicin.

Source: rifampicin on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.